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Show rjQlTJS Stubborn' Man Licks 'Em, Franslates Standard Works 17 min (SMURGMGS NEW ROCHELLE, (From the Religious News Service and the wires of the Associated Press and the United Press International.) NEW YORK Elias Petroulas is a stubborn man. He has fought against disease, blind- Brotherhood Week Message President Nixon, in a special Brotherhood Week message to the National Conference of Christians and Jews, stressed that Americans must renew their efforts to achieve harmony and peace. The NCCJ, sponsor of the annual observance held this year Feb. was praised for its more than 40 years of service. President Nixon said NCCJ has advanced our understanding of religions and races, and taught us how to live together as Americans. But a new commitment of all Americans is needed, he said, to create a climate in which all may live in harmony and peace. Without that renewed commitment, no organization and no government can fulfill the goals we seek. 16-2- Pope Role Revised The Rev. Victor Hayward, an associate in a speech at Melbourne, Australia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, said that the Roman Catholic Church is likely to revise radically its conception of the Popes role. I can give no time schedule, he said, but my guess is that the Churchs conception of the Popes role will develop as the concept of monarchy has from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. Mr. Hayward described the turmoil witiiin the Catholic Church as like a Greek tragedy . . . The World Council leader said that although Pope Paul VI was doing his best, from a Protestant point of view, he was trying to manifest a teaching authority in which Protestants are unable to believe. con-- - Seminar Set The Rabbinical Council of America announced plans in New York City for the establishment of seminar programs which will emphasize the spiritual and religious aspects of marriage. pre-marit- The Council, largest rabbinical body of Orthodox Jews, will organize the seminars for prospective married couples. Rabbis, doctors and physicians will participate in the program. Rabbi Zev Segal, president of the Council, cited increasing divorce rates and liberal attitudes toward relations as factors which are undermining the institution of marriage. pre-marit- Baptist Editors Criticized Editors of nearly 30 Baptist state papers were criticized for giving too much space to hard news and leaving out the Good News. Sherwood Wirt, Church. with him and the eventually man who gave us Elias Petroulas such a hard time . . . baptism a special was baptized. He telephoned g his friend, Anastosios Petrovas to meet him in New York. Here Elias By told his friend that he had found the LUCILLE VAUGHAN true church. After reading about the Joseph Smith story and sharing Elias enthusiasm, Anastosios agreed that the Then he began questioning doctrines search which began long ago in Greece and was promptly asked to leave the was over. The two had worked together in congregation. Anastasios and three others went with him. prominent positions in another church. Elias translated a religious magazine Then came the Mormon missionarfor publication in Greece. ies, and at the end of 1967, Elder Pe da. life-lon- Etesolutioin GHloraors pubnon- believers nor to discriminate against anyone for his religious beliefs or lack of them. The guidelines will be used on a trial basis by 15 of the states school districts before they receive final approval ftom the Department of Education. al eral holidays each year, but Elias favorite day is still Feb. 24, 19G5 the day he was baptized a member of the According to the old Julian calendar, I was born March 2, 1839. But when I refer to the Gregorian calendar, my birthday becomes March 16. So I honor them both, explained Mr. Petroulas. Not long after the convert's translation began, he lost his eyesight. Everyone thought the translation would end. Elias didnt. Instead, he prayed. Elder Arthur Arvanitis of Manhattan Ward was the answer. He began traveling from New York City to New Rochelle to assist with reading while Elias continued writing and translating as before. Overcoming obstacles is nothing new for Elias. He has faced them since his youth in Greece when drafted into the strict Greek army. Should he fight for what he didnt believe or desert and risk imprisonment? Elias deserted the army and left Greece for America. Years later he faced another obstacle, this time a disease which doctors told him would be fatal. Elias decided it wouldnt be, and surprised everyone but himself by recovering completely. Now Elias is ready for even another battle: hes thinking of a way to get Mormon missionaries into his native Greece. And hes just stubborn enough to do it. FROM UTAH LEGISLATURE The Oregon State Department of Education has introduced guidelines to be followed on religious matters in public schools. Pre-Marit- tion of all 15 books. He celebrates two birthdays and sev- ness and LBS missionaries. Disease and blindness gave up on the but the lady Greek immigrant, missionaries didnt. The result: Mr. Petroulas has completed Greek translations of the Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price and Book of Mormon now on file in Salt Lake City. When the missionaries called Mr, Petroulias, he was eager to talk to and set them straight. them The call was intended for his daughter, who had signed a register at the Mormon Pavillion at he New York World Fair. Come on over, he told them, anxious to draw on his varied religious experience to show them a thing or two." Three mis-- s i o n a r i e s met Guidelines Issued It noted religious instruction is a private cem" and that it is not a legitimate function of lic schools to try to make believers out of troulas had become a member of the Church, read the Book of Mormon four times and produced a Greek transla- editor of Decision magazine of the Billy Graham Associawhat he said was the lack of a writing. Apparently Southern (monthly magazine tion), also lamented quality school of Baptists are only training hacks and scribblers, he charged in Raleigh, N.C. The editors were attending the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Press Assn. They also heard, however, from several North Carolina newspaper editors who urged them to be proddors of conscience" and "prophets through tliclr publications. The Utah State Legislature took time out of its schedule in Salt Lake City recently to pass a resolution commending the Young Womens Mutual Improvement Assn., on its accomplishments during the past 100 years. The resolution lauding the YWMIA in Its centennial year was offered as a joint resolution of both houses by M. Byron Fisher, a Republican of Salt Lake County. The resolution said: A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE 38TH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF UTAH COMMENDING THE YOUNG WOMEN'S MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION FOR ITS CONSTRUCTIVE AND VALUABLE INFLUENCE UPON YOUTH TODAY AND DURING THE PAST 100 YEARS. Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Utah: WHEREAS, one hundred years ago, on November 28, 1869, Brigham Young, Governor of the Territory of Utah, gathered his older daughters together in the parlor of the Lion House and organized them into the Retrenchment Association, later known as the Young Womens Mutual Improvement Association, admonishing them to Retrench In everything that is bad and worthless and improve In everything that Is good and beautiful," and WHEREAS, this association, following these ideals for 100 years, is now organized in every county In the state of Utah, every state in the union, and many foreign countries, and YWMIA WHEREAS, many Utah homes have been, are being, and will be strengthened by participation of Utah girls in w'holcsome and uplifting activities on a scale indicated by the following statistics from last years records: 6.000 dances were sponsored by the MTA. 22.000 girls learned to express themselves more speech festivals, clearly through debates, and readings. MIA-sponsor- 14.000 girls became better prepared for living va'ues of nature by and enjoying the attending YWMIA camps in Utah. 24.000 girls took part in MIA plays and roadshows. and Many more thousands grew stronger physically better adjusted socially by playing softball, basketball, volleyball, and other MIA-sponsor- ed sports. WHEREAS, tennial year, this organization is now In its cen- NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the 39th Legislature of the State of Utah in joint session assembled, expresses its admiration to the officers and teachers, past and present, of the Young Womens Mutual Improvement Association, commends the organizations ideals for building better womanhood, better homes, and a better state, expresses confidence in the ability, nobility, and high idealism of the great majority of young people In our youth, teachers, and leadstate, and wishes for all ers a most rewarding centennial observance during 1969. WEEK ENDING MARCH 15, 1969 CHURCH-- 11 |